Recording apparatus for valves and the like



May 22, 1923. I 1,456,149

C. E. RENSHAW RECORDING APPARATUS FOR VALVES AND THE LIKE Filed July 29, 1919 3 Sheets-Sheet l C. E. RENSHAW RECORDING APPARATUS FOR VALVES AND THE LIKE May 22, 1923. 1,456,149

Filed July 29, 1919 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I i a i vzmma I n 1 v, 3. $45 a Nmmmwvmwv May 22, 1923.

C. E. RENSHAW RECORDING APPARATUS FOR VALVES AND THE LIKE Filed July 29 1919 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May 22, 1923.

more STATES their:

CHARLES E. RENSHAEV, OF EAST ORANGE, NEVZT JERSEY.

BEQOR-DING APPARATUS EUR VALVES AND TI-IE LIKE.

Application July 29, 1919. Serial No. 313 966.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, Crrannns ldnnsrmw, a citizen of the United States, residing East Orange, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in liecording Apparatus for Valves and the like of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention has been to provide a recording apparatus for valves and the like, which shall be capable of making a record or a signal, or both, when the valve or other device is in a predetermined position or condition; of indicating the time when said record was made; which shall be comparatively simple in construction and convenient in operation, and which shall be adapted to be operated in conjunction with the ordinary apparatus for recording the visits of a watchman to stations about a plant; and to such ends my invention consists in the recording appa ratus for valves and the like iereinafter specified.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of two valves of a sprinkler system and a recording apparatus therefor embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a valve system, the parts by which it is operated, and electric switch mechanism connected therewith;

Figure 8 is a section on the line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure l is an enlarged view of the electric switch and parts for housing and operating the same, which are shown in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a section on the line of Figure 4E;

Figure 6 is an end elevation partly in section of the essential parts of the recording mechanism;

Figure 7 is a view of a portion of a record blank adapted for use in said recording mechanism.

In thedra-wings I have illustrated the best embodiment of my invention known to me, but my invention is capable of embodiment in many different forms and is, therefore, not to be limited to the form shown, but such form is only to be regarded as typical.

In the drawings, my invention is applied to the valves controlling the pipe lines lines, etc, the valves referred to are closed,

and it not infrequently happens that the workmen forget to open them after the purpose has been accomplished for which they were closed. Dangerous fires and. loss of life may result from such failure.

My recording apparatus as illustrated is intended to make a record of the fact at a central point,say the oilice of the plant, wl -n any particular valve is open, and negatively to indicate the fact that it is closed by not making a record; and also to call the watchmaus attention by a signal to the fact that the valve is closed.

The illustrated example of my invention is intended particularly for use where the .vatcl nan is required to periodically visit stations about the plant and to record the fact of the visit to each station by means operable only at each station, and making a record in the oliice of the plant.

Broadly speaking, my invention consists in a recording apparatus, which is preferably electrically operated, and means at each valve to be operated by the watchman each time he visits thestation at the valve, which means generate or controls power that will make a record at the ollice if the valve is open, and will negatively indicate that the valve is closed by iot making a record when the valve is in that condition, the means preferably being operable by the watchman whether or not a record is made.

My invention also preferably includes a signal, audible or visible, which, when the watchman Operates the means for generating or controlling power, will also be operate-d, and call his attention, if the valve is closed.

In the embodiment in the drawings, l: have shown two valves 1 and 2 of a sprinkler system, but the invention can be applied to any number of valves. The valves are shown as having a gate 3, which is moved by a stem 41- by means of the rotation of a sleeve 5 that is journaled in a bracket (5 mounted on the housing of the valve, the sleeve being rotated by a hand-wheel 7 secured th reto. An electric switch 311' nism shown as supported on a tube 8 that surri'unlds the stem and that a flange 9 the hub of the hanahwl eh thereagainst b v d to the hand-whe supports aee it, to wl a o switch. which in the i douhleamle snap swi i secured L the ease .L,

and a bearing block 1y i pi and ail'an chi if oi. the switch. doubl 1.x: nnile blades to ii -i 111 21 p oree cured to the plate 1 end of the be); (1h ut as H in i igure 52;) are men pairs o taei'is. hieh are dun each 0-.

1 V .i i insulaten and from :er, and one. pair of w to comer-ate with t.e i and the h other paiwlapted to cooperate wit of blade to. dupl arv t0 (lOStlEl'lG or: one of th 1e The contae' :"d on the ends oi spring;

, the lat n 3; securet box as by a screw 15. T 1e blade 1 y h a sharptaied or knife ed e a: 0 ice are n'eterzzhlv flared apart, as shown in 1 IQU'L'O 5 so that the blade can to mode to force the cortacts \part and llllllr V it. the o h e low er electric; 1 coin of the be); .i'i' (t end 1*1gure it) are two it and 16. which, being tacts at the upper en l ot the box:

wil

be described in detail. One or of blades 15 or 16 is thrown into with its two pairs of conta ts l the switch shaft in one or direction. Such a switch. as is so constructed that when given distance in one dire: spring the rest oi" the dist: quiet: con and lue' l; and vice versa. ."is the details anism for cruising this snswitch i tilt.

the me: h-

it the ill usare well lniewn. they ed in the present case.

initial push oi the shaft it 1 is caused the valve direct i other on shown in Figure 4:. a hloe the end of the valve st the tube 8. it aw 2i i;

block and res ,2 .i a r is guided. in the plate and connected with the s itch-th i l The screw 20 is ad ust s *1 ;i- 1i ,i- 1 a x+ A trial. n, nn. 11090) ii agent \vltl rat,

a plunswitch-thrmiing Inc-cha thrown in the opposite d' oushni ine 22, which mounted in a housing 23 ired to the base plate ii, a spring- Al I mounted in said housing and tending the plunger toward the switch .11 n. Thus when the valve stem to the r ht as seen in Figure 4-, due opening of the gate oi? the valve to normal, position. the hloek l5) and with it the screw 2 are moved to the right, loreiii; the plunger 2i in the same direction and zlve snapping mechanism to the point where it will snap the blades to the right. in Figure 11-, the valve stem is shown in its farthest oosition to the right,

with the gate enwrel v open. and, eonsen .tl v with the blades 113 in en?"- ren'lezlt with the eonlacts i6 and lb". it the valve should be elo. 'l. the sprin will force the plunger to toe right and push the va ve snapping mechanism in the opposite direc n until the latter will snap the hiade 15 in engagement with its two pairs of contacts 15 and 15.

it. cover 25 is secured to the base plate lh and the or. are prevented 'i'iozu rotation by :1 conduit 26 that is secured to the wail. :7

2.16 intended, for valve stations. and the reinan'n: columns; for watchmans stations.

The record sheet ruled horizontallv to indicate time. Records both for valve stans and the win. 'hnians stations are made punches $12 secured to the upper end of rings 33. carryingiii-matures I'll. which,

upon heme att ranted by llltfflltlfi of. when energized b v eurren from the nia; -'neto as later to he described. force the punch forto make an indentation cause t in the "0rd sheet.

The connections between the various parts are follows: From one pole of the magneto. a wire 36 is branched to the base of the contacts 15 and 16. From the base of the contacts 15. a wire 37 runs to one pole ot the buzzer, a return wire 38 leading from the buzzer to a wire 39 that runs back to the magneto. From the base of the contacts 16. a wire 40 runs to the magnet adapted to operate punch .1-1, of valve No. 1. a wire 12 running); from the magnets back to the return wire 39 leading to the magneto.

In the operation of my mechanism, the

Watchman at stated intervals visits the valve station,-tiiat of valve No. l, for instance, and operates the magneto, as by turning its crank. it the valve is open, the current generated passes by the wire 36 to the contacts 16 and through the blade 16 to the contact 16, and thence by wire 40 to the first magnet 35 ot the recorder, operating the punch ll and making a punch mark in column N0. 1, the current returning to the magneto by wire 42. Thus, it the valve No. l is open, a record is made at the time of the visit of the watchman, but the buzzer is not operated. If, on the other hand, the valve should be closed, to an objectionable extent, when the watchman operates the magneto, the current would pass from the magneto by the wire 36 to the contacts 15, and thence by the blade 15 to the contacts 15 and by the wire 37 through the buzzer, operating the latter and calling the watchmans attention to the factthat the valve is not in normal position, so that he could open the valve. It the watchman should not open the valve, no punch mark would be made on the record sheet, and the attention of an inspector of the sheet would be called to the fact that the valve is not open, because of the absence of the usual punch marks in the proper Column for the valve.

My invention enables a watchman to make a positive or a negative record of the position 01 valves on a recording mechanism in the office or a plant by visiting the valve stations and performing an operation very much the same as the operation which he ordinarily performs, either to make a record on a recording apparatus at the central station such as I have illustrated or by use oi the ordinary watchinan s clocks. Thus, my apparatus, without substantially changing the habits or system oi watchmen already accustomed to the visiting of the ordinary stations, provides a safeguard against a valve or other device remaining in an undesired position, by a simple addition to the system already in use for the visits by the watchman to the usual stations about a plant.

An advantage of using magnetos is that they are an exceptionally reliable source of current, being particularly infallible when motion is imparted to the armature. Thus it will be s en that I have provided a rela tively simple apparatus which will prevent possible fires and loss of life due to the inadvertent failure to open the valves of a sprinkler system and one which can be installed with comparatively low cost in a plant which already has a watchmans recording system, and without disturbing such system.

1 claim:

l. ln a recording apparatus for valves and the like, tae combination oi a valve, a manually operable device, a recording means and a signal, and connections such that a rec'ort can be made by manual operation of such device when the valve is in a desired position, but preventing the operation or the signal, and such that the signal will be operated by manual operation of such device when the valve is in an undesirable position, but the making of a record will be prevented.

2. In an automatic sprinkler system for fire prevention the combination of a valve for controlling the supply oi the sprinkling iluid, a. manually operable device, a recordmeans and a signal, and connections such tha record can be made by manual operation ot such device when the valve is in a desired position, but preventing the operation oi? the signal, and such that the signal will be operated by manual op eration of such device when the valve is in an undesirable position, but the making of a record vill be prevented.

3. In an automatic sprinkler sytem tor lire prevention, the combination of a valve adapted to be positively operated through different positions to control the supply of the sprinkling iiizid, recording means, a source of power at said valve, and connec tions controlled by said valve in one oi said different positions for enabling said recording means to be operated from said source of power but preventing sa'd recording means from being operated from said source of power in other positions of the valve.

l. In recording apparatus for valves and the like, the combination oi a plurality of valves, a signal, a single recording means adapted to make a separate record for each valve, a separate source or power at each valve, and connections controlled by said valves for operating said recording means.

5. In a recording apparatus for valves and the like, the combination of a plurality of valves, a single recording means adapted to make a record for each valve, a magneto at each valve, and connections controlled by each valve for enabling said recording means to be operated by the corresponding magneto.

6 111 an automatic sprinkler system for fire prevention, the combination' of a valve ad pted to be positively operated through different positions to control the supply of the sprinkling fluid, recording means. a manually operable magneto at said valve, and connections between said magneto and said recording means controlled by said valve.

7. In a recording apparatus for valves and the like. the combination or" a valve and recording means, a signal, a mechanical electric generator at said valve, and connections such that, in given position of the valve, recording i eans will be operated and the signal remain inoperative; and in another position of the valve the signal Will be operated and the recording means remain inoperative.

8. In a recording apparatus for valves and the like, the combination of a plurality of valves, a signal, recording means for said valves, an electric generator for each of said valves, and connections such that, when said 0 valve is in a particular position, the recording means will be operated and the signal remain inoperative; and when said valve is in another position, the signal will be operated and the recording means remain inoperative.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing, I have hereunto set my hand this 23rd day of July, 1919.

CHARLES E. RENSHAVV. 

